Removal of Cu(II) From Aqueous Solutions Using Colloidal Pyrite Calcined Under Inert Atmosphere

A natural colloidal pyrite calcined in N2 atmosphere was utilized to remove Cu(II) from aqueous solutions in present work. Effect of calcination temperature, initial solution pH, reaction time, initial Cu(II) concentration, sorption temperature, foreign ions and the dissolved oxygen (DO) on Cu(II) removal was investigated. The results showed that colloidal pyrite calcined at 500-550°C (CCPy) has a most promising potential for Cu(II) removal. The increase of pH, initial Cu(II) concentration and reaction time benefited the improvement of Cu(II) removal efficiency. The isothermal adsorption data of CCPy was well described by Langmuir isotherms and the thermodynamic parameters (ΔG 0), indicating the endothermic nature of Cu(II) sorption on CCPy. The presence of most common ions in acid mine drainage and DO just had little influence on the Cu(II) uptake. The observation implied that CCPy is a low-cost, abundant material for Cu removal from Cu waters.